Bootcamp

Made it to bootcamp last night for the first time in 7 months. I found it hard but it wasn’t as hard as I was expecting it to be. Quite enjoyed it, but then I didn’t over push myself and if I needed to stop I did. 

I’ll soon get back in the swing of it and if I can also make it to the gym another night (or two) then that will be a great bonus. 

I did wake up in the night and could almost feel my body timing up, a strange feeling indeed. 

The Big Tour - Day 41 - Friday 10th March - Ha Long Bay/Home

 Last day of this spectacular tour. We leave for home this evening.

Slept well, only woken when Tash started banging about getting ready for her Tai Chi, I got up and didn’t join in but had the experience of a lovely sunrise. It really was a bit special.

Had some food, I feel better today and then we went on the small boat to a lm platform and went on Bubble Boats out into the rocks for a bit. Light and Dark caves I think it was, it was fine, and what we’ve enjoyed so far.

Chatted to people on the boat who were nice and it was interesting to see how many people of our age and demographic are doing this sort of trip because their kids have left home and that.

Back to the boat for a relax and more bloody food. Paid the bill and got waved off by the captain and crew and got back to harbour. It didn’t seem as chaotic as before, perhaps we’re just used to it. Got allocated a coach and back to our hotel in loads of time, chatted to the manager who was very keen to see us pleased and our taxi came and we were at the airport bang on time. Everything has gone really well.

I’m on the plane typing this update so will complete all the others shortly and then watch a film.

The Big Tour - Day 40 - Thursday 9th March - Ha Long Bay

Not feeling well

That's it!! Wonder what we did today..

The Big Tour - Day 39 - Wednesday 8th March - Ha Long Bay

Check out

Taxi free to airport

Pick up for Ha Long Bay trip

Oyster farm

Departure terminal

Really busy, arrivals and departures all congregating about.

Got a small boat to the larger boat. x9 people and x7 already on it. Nice and cosy

Got our cabins and then lunch. Fucking hell! They just kept coming out with more and more dishes. Nice enough but far too much.

Rest of the people are keeping themselves to themselves, not a particularly good group. Ah well.

Tash and I went out canoeing and he said just around one of the islands so we set off. And the island was large! We kept going and slowly panic was starting to creep in because I’d wondered if we’d missed the inlet to get back to the main boat and was tiring and didn’t want to go back ourselves as we’d been going for 50 minutes. Luckily the boat came into sight. They scraped off all the oysters and barnacles that had attached themselves during our canoe trip!! Scary. So I decided immediately not to go swimming there!!

Relaxed on deck for a short while and then got showered and changed,and listened to my JoolsD chill out playlist on our little balcony so that was nice and relaxing.

Fish eagles

The Big Tour - Day 38 - Tuesday 7th March - Hanoi/Mai Chau bikes

Decent sleep and down for breakfast at 7.00am, drive turned up 7.10am, 10 mins early and then fucked off leaving us. Luckily hotel brought him back, bit of a twat and continued to be so for the bus journey picking people up around Hanoi.

Just another thing to make me not warm to this place.

The Big Tour - Day 37 - Monday 6th March - Hanoi

Train arrived at Hanoi around 5.45am, we just crossed all the tracks to find the way out and get a Grab to the hotel. Unsurprisingly they weren’t ready for us so we dumped our bags and went for a walk around Hanoi.

We do things quickly it has to be said!! Went around the lake and watched so many people exercising either on their own or in large groups. That was so interesting to watch and made us feel guilty that we weren’t working out.

We just explored around, went through Train Street and found a couple of markets that were closed and ended up at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum that Tash wasn’t allowed into because of her short shorts so I still went and took a look, not much going on. More walking and after breakfast went to the prison dubbed the Hanoi Hilton.

The way the information was written was so one-sided and biased from a Commission leaning it was a bit irritating to be honest and I gave up. They really were anti-American which doesn’t bother me other than it all felt like propaganda. “Our valiant comrades this and the violent oppressors that!”

More walking around until we finally got back to the hotel around 1.30pm and having not slept a single minute last night so booked 90 mins on timer and crashed out. I was knackered.

Woke up and went out and did more exploring and found the place where the train comes through the streets and had a drink there which was interesting when it finally came along - very touristy attraction.

Made our way back to the hotel for an early(ish) night

The Big Tour - Day 37 - Sunday 5th March - Hoi An to Hue

Alarm at 7.00am so as to go to the gym before breakfast, but both of us couldn’t be bothered!

Picked up on time to travel to Hue and stop along the way.

We went to the Marble Mountains first which is where there are loads of shops all selling marble statues. Very impressive quality and size, weren’t really too interested and didn’t waste time there.

We then moved on to Ba Na Hills as we really wanted to go to the bridge with the hands and made our way there but we’re shocked to find out it’s actually a bloody theme park. We had no idea at all, it was like Disneyland!! This explained why tickets were about £40 per person and the driver was concerned we didn’t have enough time. Any normal people would have spent the whole day there. We thought it was just a cable car and bridge. Badly mistaken!!

So we boarded the cable car and it went on and on and on. So long and so high up. The hills were lovely, what we could see of them. Sadly, we’d picked a day where it was low cloud cover and extremely misty and hard to see further than 20 yards. And it was cold, Tash in a tiny thin strapped summer dress and me in shorts and t-shirt. It wasn’t exactly freezing but it was cold!

When at the top it wasn’t possible to see where to go for the Golden Bridge so we just guessed and had to get on another cable car to get to it. Quite funny as you could just make out the shape of the hands. Nightmare!!

We were patient and were rewarded with about 60 seconds of the mist lifting and I got some decent photos. We were conscious of time and were cold so didn’t think it worth spending more time up there in the rest of the park so came back much to the surprise of the driver, Hoa.

From there we headed to the Hai Van Pass that appears to have been made more famous by Top Gear, Tash and the driver both mentioned it along the journey. It was lovely up there in amongst the mountains and greenery and the winding roads but sadly again it wasn’t a clear day so photos weren’t that great. I can well imagine what it would be like in nice weather.

Once through the pass and a couple of stops for photos we ended up at a lagoon where they catch the oysters for pearls and stopped for some food. Then finally drove to Hue where Tash and I both fell asleep for an hour on the way. Said our farewells and had food at Mr Pho’s and bought some beers for the train journey ahead.

Bit of a delayed train and then we got to our cabin and at the time of writing this we were delighted to find that in our VIP cabin for 4 people we were the only 2. People keep looking in, we have a few stops ahead of us, so there’s every chance we might be alone for the whole journey. If we are that would be amazing good fortune as there are loads of people on this train, but then it is bloody huge. So many carriages.

It’s a sleeper train, we’re on here for 14 hours, should be interesting!

We’re quite settled, Tash playing Sudoku eating crackers and I have my music playing on the speaker and drinking beers. A trolly dolly just went passed and she has Tiger beers if needed, which is likely as Tash and I only bought four cans from Mr Pho. Well, I’ll come back to this later, I’ve loads of diary entries I need to complete, I’m about 5 days behind!!

Update. Some guy turned up and climbed into the bunk bed next to us, clearly not his, doesn’t speak any English at all so communicated via Google Translate. Then his family came along to see where he’d got to and all poked their head around the door saying hi to us. Quite funny.

So I went for a walk to find the beers lady and just kept going through all the carriages, you had our 4 berths, then 6 berths, then normal train seating and finally the last one so I couldn’t go any further was dark wood seats full with men and women in sky blue uniforms which was clearly the staff, I was in the restaurant. It was great, loved it. Got some more bees and came back again. Enjoying this because it’s so old you even see spaces and air when moving between carriages.

Toilet just went straight through to the tracks

We tried to get some sleep but it wasn't ideal, I was very conscious of people coming in and stealing our items so I got VERY little sleep at all

The Big Tour - Day 36 - Saturday 4th March - Hoi An

Heavy heads this morning, not really in the mood for breakfast but had a bit anyway and then we’re picked up at 8.45am for the basket boats experience, and that was an experience!!

It was in one of those round palm leave/wicker boats that seem to be famous in this part of the country and we expected a nice slow row through the palm tree forest, that was NOT the case. 

As we went down the river with our coolie hats on you could hear music, it was parry town on the river!! It was mad. There were guys doing the spinning around in the boat, a chance to stand on the chopped stems of palm trees, karaoke/disco groupings and even a chap throwing his net out onto the water to try and catch fish. He wasn’t too successful and then our boatman took us closer and I got on board and had a go. 

I was no more successful than him but it was enjoyable to have a go and obviously a decent photo opp!! Bit more chaos trying to get through all the other boats and when we’d finished the girl said to us it’s a lot quieter in the morning! We thought that was busy enough but she said they get about 10,000 a day. Incredible, they must make so much money, we couldn’t imagine how busy the waterways would be with many more people on there!!

Our driver took us back to the hotel and we borrowed bikes again and cycled to town. Stopped at our short and dress one first but no one was there so went to Me Xe and collected that dress, no adjustments needed at all, it was perfect and Tash was thrilled with it. 

We did a bit or touring round Hoi A before returning to Hay Hay and Tash tried her dress on, again perfect and she was even more delighted so that was good. Me less so! And I didn’t accept what work they’d done as the cuffs were too short and the stomach area too wide. I also felt it wasn’t quite long enough but I let that slide. They were happy to make adjustments for me and I’d go back later. I was pleased about that because as it was I wasn’t happy with it at all. 

So we went back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon and that’s exactly what we got. Just lazed by the pool although I did go into the gym for an hour and worked out. Was delighted that I was able to run 15 mins and feel good. I only stopped as my chest was tightening up, my legs were fine. So pleasing. Tash then had a facial so I went back to the room and sorted packing and money we need for the trips we have lined up from Hanoi. 

We then went out for dinner and straight back to Hay Hay and Nina and she was as lovely and full on as yesterday. Very gushing girl, lovely.  I was a bit anxious about my shirt and was pleased that they’d made a big improvement to it and I was happier  now and accepted the changes. We did a review for them there and there and paid and left.  

We wandered around Hoi An a bit more, it’s all very similar but different too, I found a couple of shops I really liked and bought some beer mats for the bar. Could have bought some posters too, they were great. Also we bought some lanterns for the garden, that’s a job for me when we get back as I’ll have to try and sort out lights to go inside them!

We got some food from a very popular restaurant and pudding from a street vendor we used last night, this time banana and Nutella pancake, could have had two!! Lovely. Then found a bar for a couple of beers and played cards. A group of women were loud and having a good night and had control of the playlist, I wanted to take over but held back. I think they all knew what they wanted and my music wouldn’t have been that!! I left them with Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas so I was happy with that!

Back to the hotel, we’ve both really enjoyed Hoi An and as Tash said this is the one place we would have been happy to have stayed at for longer. It was a very touristy place and that was fine. We really did like it. 

The Big Tour - Day 35 - Friday 3rd March - Hoi An

Up fairly early and down for breakfast that was quality, even had proper Coco Pops! So I filled up on those and donuts, breakfast of champions..

We got some bikes from the hotel and cycled towards the old town and the clothes shops as I’m tempted by a shirt. We went into a decent one and the girl there was so chatty that you can’t help but get sucked in. 

I found decent material and pattern that I liked and made some other requests and agreed to the cost and got measured up, Tash then got suckered in and ordered a dress to be made too. In saying that, and hopefully they’ll be good quality, we’re getting made to measure shirt and dress for £60. So hopefully they’ll be great, we will see. 

We then got some credit card wallets for the boys (and me) and a t-shirt for Brenda (and me!) and then found the spa that Tash was reading about last night and booked up for a massage as planned. Feels like we’re spending so much money but it’s all quite cheap, especially compared to what we’d be paying back home in the UK. 

With that all done we jumped in the bikes and cycled out to An Bang beach, stopping a couple of times along the way to take photos of the guys working in the paddy fields and that. What was nice is there were so many other tourists doing the same thing. It was fine crossing the roads and all that so we survived without being run over or tooted at!!

We eventually found the Shore Club that is linked to our hotel and got great sun beds on the beach and settled down for the afternoon. The sea had waves so I was in there straight away. The air was cooler here but the sun was out so warm enough to be comfortable and catching it. A lot more bearable compared to what we’ve been experiencing in the last few weeks. 

Water sports were there too so watching people on the banana boat and parasailing. I was happy just listening to my music and going in the sea. Nice and relaxing. 

Kept going into the water and get battered by the waves but then had a couple of beers from the bar so that made it worthwhile. A memory to take from today is listening to Becky Hill, watching the waves crashing in with the sun on my back drinking beer (Huda) out of a bottle. In my element!! Do I really have to go home?!?! In saying that, I do miss the Dark Side Bar, is that a bad admission?

Bought some beer cosies from a beach seller and just had a lovely time, didn’t realise until later I’d got burned and was bright red, even after all this time in the sun!! Ah well. 

Cycled back to the hotel and got cleaned up and sorted and then walked into town a lot earlier than yesterday so it was lighter and not quite so busy. 

We went to Mr Xe but Tasha’s dress wasn’t ready so we got a drink and some street food and then walked down to the Five Senses Spa for our booked massage treatments. Tash had the four hands and I stuck with the traditional two.  They went to town on our bodies, this was in no way a relaxing massage!! They really dug into us. That was fine, we’d been warned it wouldn’t be a relaxing massage! I felt good afterwards and we definitely got our money’s worth for he hour session. 

We then walked back towards town but went on the river front and found a decent bar and had some more nibbles and then another bar and played cards. 

We then went to where it’s really busy and loud and full of the happy hour bars and we went to one that had a live band and that was enjoyable and we had more beers there and even got chatting to some youngsters out on their gap year travels, one had been to Brookes Uni! We staggered home then, it was way past midnight and we were a bit drunk. A good day and night all told 

The Big Tour - Day 34 - Thursday 2nd March - Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon to Hoi An

 Packed things ready to go later and then went for a walk, we headed for the Saigon Notre Dame and found it to be closed and full of scaffolding all around it. So we didn’t see it in its glory but to be honest it was a lot smaller than I expected when compared with the original in Paris.

Decided to continue on and look for the Jade Temple and stopped at the coffee shop that serves coffee to change your life. Have to admit that it was lovely!! Mine was iced and Tasha had one of those sweet ones. She didn’t complain although I’m sure she sorely wanted to!!

Also, she could go into the Templar as her shoulders weren’t covered but she didn’t miss much.

We walked back to the hotel and were soaked from sweating, it was very hot today. Got our bags, said goodbyes and took a Grab to the airport but got dropped off at the International terminal so after a mild panic we found we only needed to walk a bit to Domestic departure terminal. Checked in the bags and got a McDonalds and felt guilty for doing so.

Airport was fine and we got in our place to Hoi An on time. It’s going to be colder there by about 6-10 degrees which might feel quite a lot different. We will soon see, I’m typing this whilst on the plane.

The Big Tour - Day 33 - Wednesday 1st March - Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon

Today was our visit to the Cu ChinTunnels which I’ve been looking forward to from the time when we booked this trip. We got sorted and got our breakfast and coffee from over the roundabout and got picked up on time. 

Went though the city collecting other people and we had quite a full coach by the time we’d got everyone, but it was a smaller 20 seater. 

The guide today was a lad called Bao, he was very good indeed, very energetic and informative with loads of stories that he said were personal from his uncle. Must admit, the way he spoke I felt as though he was very anti-American and the angle of his stories continued in that vein. I didn’t mind, and the Americans on the coach didn’t seem to understand and were so in awe of the ingenuity of the VC soldiers. I had to remind Tash that it was like admiring the Nazi’s! 

Although from my perspective without any involvement by the British in the war it’s not an issue so we could appreciate it. And it was clever and fascinating. And the way Bao kept referring to the  Vietnamese guerrillas as ‘we’ kept confusing Tash. 

Anyway, we stopped at a village that has crafts made by disabled people, and all these people are directly affected by the US use of chemical weapons in the war, specifically Agent Orange, that I was reading about in the War Remnants museum yesterday. 

The crafts they were making were lacquered wood with eggshells and mother of pearl making up the pictures. They were fantastic and beautiful but they were bloody expensive. We were tempted but quite simply they were too much money, we’d have loved to contribute and also have one of these items but it was too much sadly. 

We moved on and stopped at the Cu Chi Tunnels along with countless other coaches! Quite clearly this is the number 1 tourist attraction to tick off when visiting Saigon. Oh, forgot to mention, they prefer to call it Saigon instead of Ho Chi Minh City, so I’ll try and remember to do the same now!! Bao explained why, it’s to do with the central districts and moving out of the city. 

That aside, he walked us through various parts that were set up in the grounds and he was experienced enough to move on when it was too busy knowing we’d return when quieter. 

I loved it. These were genuine tunnels and forest that fighting and living took place in. It was fascinating learning how the Vietcong worked, lived and fought. Including the traps and hiding their scent against sniffer dogs and even the size of the tunnels and openings. 

There was a firing range that you could have a go in, we didn’t, but the firing of the weapons and noise coming through the forest made the atmosphere even better. Except when we walked through the range and the firing was incredibly loud. Deafening!

We then got to crawl through a tunnel system, there were differing lengths and we did the 100 metres one, I was last and a bit slow so was on my own for much of it and it wasn’t pleasant. Felt a bit anxious about getting a wrong turn, but it wasn’t possible and one stage it really narrowed. 

There was also a photo opp to go into a hole and hide, that was tight even though they’d increased the size for us tourists. 

And that was it. A really interesting and absorbing experience, I’m really glad we did it and Tash enjoyed it too. 

More stories on the way back and some sleep and then jumped off the bus at the first stop as I recognised it as close to our hotel and got showered and changed and emptied my bag and something was missing…where were my headphones??? I’d taken them as I knew it was a long journey and planned to use them but hadn’t in the end but they were nowhere. We’d been told to leave our bags on the coach as they’d not be needed and it would be locked. 

I was so very pissed off and ‘knew’ they’d not fallen out and the driver had swiped them. I fired off emails and I knew the Kim Travel offices were nearby so marched to those. I’ve had them a long time and would have to write them off and get new ones but I couldn’t believe it. 

So at the offices the girl phoned Bao and he in turn phoned the coach and after 10 mins got a call back, they’d been found “at the back of the coach”. Obviously I was absolutely delighted and relieved. I didn’t believe for one moment that was true but I was getting them back in about 2 hours time. Thank goodness for that. 

So we carried on walking with some places in mind and Tash stopped by a jewellers and got her chain fixed and we headed towards the Exco tower by the river.  It just gets busier and busier with respect to the towns we travel to. 

We stopped by a sports bar and had a drink and then headed back towards Kim Travel offices and did some shopping and thankfully when we went to the travel office the headphones were correct. I could have cried!! So relieved. I love those headphones. 

Back to the hotel briefly to get cleaned up and then off in another direction and found a really nice Indian restaurant and after that went to the Beer Garden pub we’ve seen. That was so busy with locals celebrating something and we had a couple of beers and got the cards out. This, for some reason, caused a lot of amusement with the staff. They kept pointing and chatting and laughing. Not quite sure why, they didn’t explain!

It wasn’t a late night and we went back and got sorted for heading off tomorrow. Really enjoyed today, the tunnels were so interesting and the experience was worth it, not a let down at all.